Press Release

SOC4SME Launches with Momentum: Inaugural SOC4SME Webinar Launched with Strong Participation

Over 70 representatives from institutions, organizations, and enterprises joined to discuss cybersecurity for SMEs and the NIS2 Directive

Athens, Greece – 6 May 2025

The inaugural webinar of the SOC4SME project, entitled “Strengthening SME Cybersecurity in the Era of NIS2,” was successfully delivered on Tuesday, 30th April 2025, marking a key milestone in the project’s mission to boost the cybersecurity effectiveness of Greek small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The event attracted over 70 attendees representing public institutions, industry organizations, and private enterprises — a clear sign of the growing awareness around the cybersecurity challenges and regulatory compliance SMEs face and the urgent demand for practical, accessible solutions.

The webinar offered an in-depth overview of the SOC4SME initiative and its mission to develop a dedicated Security Operations Center (SOC) for SMEs in Greece. With the SOC now fully operational and available to Greek SMEs, speakers highlighted its practical applications and value for SMEs seeking to strengthen their cybersecurity posture. Attendees were introduced to the project’s AI- and ML-powered tools, which support real-time monitoring, proactive threat detection, and effective incident response. During the webinar, project partners invited interested companies to participate in the SOC4SME pilot phase and to take advantage of the opportunity to deploy SOC services completely free of charge for 12 months.

Speakers also analysed the core requirements and implications of the NIS2 Directive, providing actionable guidance tailored to SME needs. The session concluded with a live Q&A, fostering meaningful dialogue between cybersecurity experts, institutional representatives, and business stakeholders.

Stergios Asteriou, Special Risks Manager at Karavias Underwriting Agency, emphasized the project’s strategic role in empowering SMEs: “SOC4SME delivers cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions tailored to the specific needs of Greek SMEs. It strengthens their digital defenses through real-time monitoring, AI-driven threat detection, and agile incident response. This approach not only provides peace of mind but also enables SMEs to concentrate on growth and innovation. By bridging the gap between SMEs and the national cybersecurity ecosystem, SOC4SME empowers smaller enterprises to make a confident leap toward resilience, regulatory compliance, and success in today’s digital economy.”

Aliki Diakidou, Deputy Head of the Regulatory Compliance Department at the National Cyber Security Authority of Greece, provided a thorough breakdown of the NIS2 Directive and the obligations it introduces for SMEs: “Absolute security is an unrealistic goal — instead, our focus must be on strengthening the entire security chain, especially the weakest links. SMEs must adopt a proactive defense posture, where the cost of a successful attack outweighs its potential benefit for the attacker. This includes supply chain control, risk-based strategies, and building a culture of awareness and continuous education. As cybercrime evolves into a service-based economy, with tools readily available to malicious actors, organizations must take responsibility at every level — from executive leadership down to every individual employee. NIS2 makes this clear: cybersecurity is no longer optional; it’s an operational, legal, and cultural priority.”

Nikolaos Andreopoulos, Sales Engineer at Obrela and Alexis Lekidis, R&D Director at Sphynx, presented the technical foundation of SOC4SME and detailed the onboarding process for SMEs. They explained how the SOC-as-a-Service (SOCaaS) platform offers 24/7 threat monitoring, combining artificial intelligence with human expertise, and delivers managed detection and endpoint protection services. Through a three-phase onboarding process — initiation, integration, and operational rollout — participating SMEs gain access to advanced cybersecurity tools, expert support, and alignment with NIS2 compliance requirements.

At its core, SOC4SME is a Security Operations Center (SOC) built specifically for Greek SMEs. Delivered through a SOC-as-a-Service model, it provides real-time monitoring, AI-driven threat detection, expert response capabilities, and compliance support — all designed to make cybersecurity both effective and accessible for small businesses.

To participate in the SOC4SME pilot phase or learn more, SMEs can contact: grsmesoc@gkaravias.gr or visit https://soc4sme.eu